C-1

COMPREHENSION
growth factors

Passage 1
Alzheimers disease impairs a persons ability to
recall memories, both distant and as recent as a few
hours before. Although there is no cure yet for the
illness, there may be hope for a cure with a protein
called nerve growth factor. The protein is produced
by nerve cells in the same region of the brain where
Alzheimers occurs. Based on this relationship,
scientists from the University of Lund in Sweden
and the University of California at San Diego
designed an experiment to test whether doses of
nerve growth factors could service the effects of
memory loss caused by Alzheimers. Using a group
of rats with impaired memory, the scientists gave
half of the rats doses of nerve growth factor while
giving the other half a blood protein as a placebo,
thus creating a control group. At the end of the four
week-test, the rats given the nerve growth factor
performed equally to rats with normal memory
abilities. While experiments do not show that nerve
growth factor can stop the general process of
deterioration caused by Alzheimers, they do show
potential as a means of slowing the process
significantly.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

cures for Alzheimers disease

(b)

impaired memory of patients

(c)

the use of rats as experimental subjects

(d)

nerve growth factor as a cure for

Alzheimers

In the pitutiary gland

(b)

In nerve cells in brain

(c)

In red blood cells in the circulatory

system

(d)

In nerve cells in the special column

7.

The word impairs is most similar to which of the

following ?
(a)

Affects

(b)

Destroys

(c)

Enhances

(d)

Diminishes

Which of the following can be inferred from the

passage ?
(a)

Alzheimers disease is deadly

(b)

Though unsuccessful, the experiments

did show some benefits derived from new

Einstein Classes,

(d)

More work needs to be done to

understand the effects of nerve growth
factor

The passage most closely resembles which of the

following patterns of organisation ?
(a)

Chronological

(b)

Statement and illustration

(c)

Alphabetical order

(d)

None of the above

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the

word deterioration ?
(a)

Depression

(b)

Deduction

(c)

Decline

(d)

Disconnection

One simple physical concept lies behind the

formation of the stars : gravitational instability. The
concept is not new. Newton first perceived it late in
the 17th century. Imagine a uniform, static cloud
of gas in space. Imagine then that the gas is
somehow disturbed so that one small spherical
region becomes a little denser than the gas around
it so that the small regions gravitational field
becomes slightly stronger. It now attracts more
matter to it and its gravity increases further,
causing it to begin to contract. As it contracts, its
density increases, which inreases its gravity even
more, so that it picks up even more matter and
contracts even further. The process continues until
the small regions of gas finally forms a
gravitationally bound object.

According to the passage, where is nerve growth

factor produced in the body ?
(a)

The experiment did not show any

significant benefits from nerve growth
factor

Passage 2

This passage is mainly concerned with

(a)

(c)

8.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

(a)

describe a static condition

(b)

support a theory considered outmoded

(c)

depict the successive stages of a

phenomenon

(d)

demonstrate the evolution of the

meaning of a term

It can be inferred from this passage that the author

views the information contained within it as
(a)

lacking in elaboration

(b)

original but obscure

(c)

speculative and unprofitable

(d)

uncomplicated and traditional

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111

C-2
9.

10.

With which of the following words can you replace

the word uniform as given in this passage ?

12.

What does the passage mainly discuss ?

(a)

Cardiology

(a)

Uniting

(b)

Varying

(b)

Diet and stress as factors in heart attacks

(c)

Gaseous

(d)

Unvarying

(c)

Seasonal and temporal patterns of heart

attacks

(d)

Risk factors in heart attacks

What does the word it in bold type stand for in

the passage ?
(a)

Gravitational instability

(b)

Cloud of gas

The word potential could best be replaced by

which of the following ?

(c)

Small spherical denser region

(a)

Harmful

(b)

Possible

(d)

Matter

(c)

Unknown

(d)

Primary

13.

11.

The author provides information that answers

which of the following questions ?

A.

What causes the disturbances that change the cloud

from its original static condition ?

(a)

Decreased blood flow to the heart

(b)

Increased blood pressure

B.

How does this small regions increasing density

affect its gravitational field ?

(c)

Lower heart rate

C.

What is the end result of the gradually increasing

concentration of the small region of gas ?

(d)

Increase in hormones

(a)

A only

(b)

B only

(c)

B and C

(d)

A, B and C

14.

15.

Passage 3
As heart disease continues to be the number one
killer in the United States, researches have become
increasingly interested in identifying the potential
risk factors that trigger heart attacks. High fat
diets and life in the fast lane have long been known
to contribute to the high incidence of heat failute.
But according to new studies, the list of risk factors
may be significantly longer and quite surprising.
Heart failure, for example, appears to have seasonal
and temporal patterns. A higher percentage of heart
attacks occurs in cold weather and more people
experience heart failute on Monday than on any
other day of the week. In addition, people are more
susceptible to heart attacks in the first few hours
after waking. Cardiologists first observed this
morning phenomenon in the mid-1980 and have
since discovered a number of possible causes. An
early-morning rise in blood pressure, heart rate and
concentration of heart stimulating hormones, plus
a reduction of blood flow to the heart, may all
contributes to the higher incidence of heart attacks
between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 am. In
other studies, both birthday and bachelorhood have
been implicated as risk factors. Statistics reveal that
heart attack rate increases significantly for both
females and males in the few days immediately
preceding and following their birthdays. And
unmarried men are more at risk for heart attacks
than their married counterparts. Though stress is
through to be linked in some way to all of the
aforementioned risk factors, intense research
continues in the hope of future comprehending why
and how heart failure is triggered.

Einstein Classes,

16.

17.

According to the passage, which of the following is

not a possible cause of many heart attacks ?

Which of the following is cited as a possible risk

factor ?
(a)

Getting married

(b)

Rainy weather

(c)

Eating fatty foods

(d)

Driving fast

As used in the passage, which of the following could

best replace the word reveal ?
(a)

Observe

(b)

Show

(c)

Explain

(d)

Mean

Which of the following does the passage infer ?

(a)

We now fully understand how the risk

factors trigger heart attacks

(b)

We do not fully understand how the risk

factors trigger heart attacks

(c)

We have not identified risk factors

associated with heart attacks

(d)

We have recently begun to study how risk

factors work

Passage 4
Both plants and animals of many sorts show
remarkable changes in form, structure, growth
habits and even mode of reproduction, in
becoming adapted to different climatic
environment, types of food supply or mode of
living. This divergence in response to evolution is
commonly expressed by altering form and function
of some parts of the organisms, the original
identification of which is clearly discernible. For
example, the creeping foot of the nail is seen in
related marine pteropods to be modified into
flapping organ useful for swimming, and is charged
into prehensile arms that bear suctorial disks in the
squids and other cephalopods. The limbs of modes

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111

C-3
of life for swift running (cursorial) as in the horse
and antelope, for swinging in trees (arboreal) as in
the monkeys, for digging (fossorial) as in the moles
and gophers, for flying (volant) as in the bats, for
swimming (aquatic) as in the seals, whales and
dolphins, and for other adaptations. The structures
or organs that show main change in connection with
the adaptive divergence are commonly identified
readily as homologous, in spite of great alterations.
Thus, the finger and wrist bones of a bat and whale,
for instance, have virtually nothing in common
except that they are definitely equivalent element
of the mammalian limb.
18.

result, policy decisions may serve the ends of the

political and career systems rather than those of
the concern. In this way, the goals of the
organisation may be displaced in favour of sectional
interests and individual ambition. These
preoccupations sometimes prevent the emergence
of organic systems. Many of the electronics firms
in their study had recently created research and
development departments employing highly
qualified and well paid scientists and technicans.
Their high pay and expert knowledge were
sometimes seen as a threat to the established order
of rank, power and privilege. Many senior
managers had little knowledge of the technicalities
and possibilities of new developments and
electronics. Some felt that close co-operation with
the experts in an organic system would reveal their
ignorance and show that their experience was now
redundant.

Which is the most appropriate title for the passage,

based on its content ?
(a)

Evolution

(b)

Our Changing Bodies

(c)

Adaptive Divergence

(d)

Changes in Organs

23.

The author makes out a case for

19.

The author provides information that would

answer which of the following questions ?

(a)

research and development in

organisations

A.

What factors cause change in organisms ?

(b)

a refresher course for senior managers

B.

What is the theory of evolution ?

(c)

C.

Could structurally different organs be similar in

evolution ?

an understanding between senior and

middle level executives

(d)

organic system

20.

21.

22.

(a)

A only

(b)

B only

(c)

A and C

(d)

A, B and C

24.

The author tends to see the senior managers as

(a)

ignorant and incompetent

The author organises the passage by

(b)

jealous of thier younger colleagues

(a)

comparison and contrast

(c)

(b)

general statements followed by examples

a little out of step with their work

environment

(c)

hypotheses and proof

(d)

robbed of their rank, power and

privilege

(d)

definition of key terms

25.

Which of the following words could best be

substituted to homologous without substantially
changing the authors meaning ?
(a)

Divergent

(b)

Corresponding

(c)

Altered

(d)

Tactile

26.

The authors style can best be described as

Organic system, as related to the organisation

implies its
(a)

natural and unimpeded growth

(b)

growth with inputs from science and

technology

(c)

growth with the help of expert knowledge

(d)

steady all-round development

Policy decisions in organisation should involve

(a)

modernisation of the organisation

(b)

co-operation at all levels in the

organisation

Passage 5

(c)

attracting highly qualified personnel

Organisations are institutions in which members

compete for status and power. They compete for
the resources of the organisation, for example,
finance to expand their own departments, for
career advancement and for power to control the
activities of others. In pursuit of these aims, groups
are formed and sectional interest emerge. As a

(d)

keeping in view the larger objectives of

the organisation

(a)

objective

(b)

humorous

(c)

esoteric

(d)

patronising

Einstein Classes,

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111

C-4
27.

28.

29.

30.

The theme of the passage is

31.

(a)

groupism in organisations

Culture redeems a person from the sterile futility

of aimless struggle because

(b)

frustration of senior managers

(a)

it makes man learned

(c)

individual ambitions in organisations

(b)

it makes man more intelligent

(d)

emergence of sectional interest in

organisations

(c)

it brings about a better understanding of

life

Passage 6

(d)

it prepares man for struggle

Culture is not merely learning. It is discrimination,

understanding of life. Liberal education aims at
producing moral gifts as well as intellectual,
sweetness of temper as much as sanity of outlook.
Into the art of living, the cultured man carries a
certain grace, a certain refinement, a certain
distinction which redeems him from the sterile
futility of aimless struggle. Culture is not a pose of
intellect or a code of convention, but an attitude of
life which finds nothing human, alien common or
unclean. An education that brings up a young man
in entire indifference to the misery and poverty
surrounding him, to the general stringency of life,
to the dumb pangs of tortuned bodies and the lives
submerged in the shadows, is essentially a failure.
If we do not realise the solidarity of the human
community, nor have human relations with those
whom the world passed by as the lowly and the lost,
we are not cultured.

Passage 7
Nationalism, of course, is a curious phenomenon
which at a certain stage in a countrys history gives
life, growth and unity but, at the same time, it has a
tendency to limit one, because one thinks of ones
country as something different from the rest of the
world. Ones country as something different from
the rest of the world. Ones perspective changes and
one is continuously thinking of ones own struggles
and virtues and failing to the exclusion of other
thoughts. The result is that the same nationalism
which is the symbol of growth for a people becomes
a symbol of the cessation of that growth in the mind.
Nationalism, when it becomes successful, sometimes
goes on spreading in an aggressive way and become
a danger internationally. Whatever line of through
you follow, you arrive at the conclusion that some
kind of balance must be found. Otherwise
something that was good can turn into evil.
Culture, which is essentially good becomes not only
static but aggressive and something that breeds
conflict and hatred when looked at from a wrong
point of view. How are you to find a balance, I dont
know. Apart from the political and economic
problems of the age, perhaps that is the greatest
problem today because behind it there is a
tremendous search for something which is cannot
find. We turn to economic theories because they
have an undoubted importance. It is folly to talk
of culture or even on God when human beings
starve and die. Before one can talk about anything
else one must provide the normal essentials of life
to human beings. That is where economics comes
in. Human beings today are not in the mood to
tolerate this suffering and starvation and
inequality when they see that the burden is not
equally shared. Others profit while they only bear
the burden.

Which of the following statements best expresses

the theme of the passage ?
(a)

Culture lends grace and sanity to man

(b)

Culture and education are

complementary to each other

(c)

Liberal education makes man cultured

(d)

Education brings man closer to life

According to the writer, the function of liberal

education is to
(a)

change the outlook of a person

(b)

increase intellectual powers

(c)

improve a person morally

(d)

develop sensitivity to human dignity

Consider the following :

1.

Brotherhood of man

2.

Understanding of pain and suffering

3.

Better human relations

The most suitable title for the above passage would

be

4.

Sweetness of temper

(a)

Nationalism-a road to world unity

Which of the above expressions describes proper

education ?

(b)

Nationalism breeds unity

(c)

Nationalism and national problems

(a)

1 and 3

(d)

Nationalism is not enough

(b)

2 and 4

(c)

2, 3 and 4

(d)

All of the above

Einstein Classes,

32.

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111

C-5
33.

34.

35.

36.

Aggressive nationalism

37.

(a)

isolates a country

An appropriate title for the above passage would

be

(b)

endangers national unity

(a)

The will to Fight

(c)

leads to stunted growth

(b)

The Miracle of Confronting Danger

(d)

breeds threat to international relations

(c)

The Change of Nature

(d)

Courage and Panic

Negative national feeling can make a nation

(a)

dangerous

(b)

indifferent

(c)

self-centred

(d)

selfish

38.

The greatest problem in the middle of the passage

refers to the questions
(a)

how to curb international hatred

(b)

how to share the economic burden

equally

(c)

hot to contain the dangers of aggressive

nationalism

(d)

hot to mitigate hardship to human beings

The author names three different ways in which a

man may react to sudden danger. What are they ?
(a)

He may flee in panic, or fight back or

stand still

(b)

He may be paralysed with fear, seized

with panic or act like an inferior animal

(c)

He may be paralysed with fear, or seized

with panic, or as if by miracle, become
possessed of the necessary courage, and
face the danger

(d)

He may be paralysed with fear, run away

or fight

Others in the last sentence refers to

(a)

other neighbours

(b)

other nations

(c)

other communities

(d)

other people

39.

Passage 8
When we are suddenly confronted with any terrible
danger, the change of nature we undergo in equally
great. In some cases fear paralyses us. Like animals,
we stand still, powerless to move a step in fright or
to lift a hand in defence of our lives, and sometimes
we are seized with panic, and again act more like
the inferior animals than rational beings. On the
other hand, frequently in cases of sudden extreme
peril, which cannot be escaped by flight, and must
be instantly faced, even the most timid men at once
as if by miracle, become possessed of the necessary
courage, sharp quick apprehension, and swift
decision. This is a miracle very common in nature.
Man and the inferior animals alike, when
confronted with almost certain death gather
resolution from despair but there can really be no
trace of so debilitating a feeling in the person
fighting, or prepared to fight for dear life. At such
times the mind is clearer than it has ever been; the
nerves are steel, there is nothing felt but a
wounderful strength and daring. Looking back at
certain perilous moments in my own life, I
remember them with a kind of joy, not that there
was any joyful excitement then; but because they
brought me a new experience a new nature, as it
were and lifted me for a time above myself.

Einstein Classes,

40.

41.

The distinction between inferior animals and

rational beings is that
(a)

the former are incapable of fighting

(b)

the latter are clever

(c)

the latter and stronger

(d)

the latter are capable or reasoning things

out whereas the former cannot do so

Explain the phrase gather resolution from danger

(a)

Find hope and courage

(b)

A state or utter hopelessness steels one to

fight out the danger

(c)

Not to lose hope, but fight

(d)

Find courage to face the danger

The author feels happy in the recollection of

dangers faced and overcome because
(a)

they brought him a new experience

(b)

they brought him a new experience, and

lifted him above himself for a time

(c)

he survived his ordeal

(d)

he was lucky to be alive

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111

C-6

ANSWERS
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

Einstein Classes,

Unit No. 102, 103, Vardhman Ring Road Plaza, Vikas Puri Extn., Outer Ring Road
New Delhi 110 018, Ph. : 9312629035, 8527112111